The Black Cats advanced to the last 16 of the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday evening after beating Notts County 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.The big news from that game was Duncan Watmore's encouraging comeback from injury as he took a step closer to a full return for the club.Next up for Sunderland is a trip to Accrington Stanley on Saturday as they look to secure a league win and keep pressure on league leaders Portsmouth.Meanwhile, January is now just round the corner and it could be interesting month for Sunderland. Jack Ross admits he'd be happy to keep his squad as it is, but given their success there's likely to be plenty of interest in their players, which could prompt new incomings too.

On buying tickets for other fans - gift of football

Since Stewart has taken ownership of the club the one thing he really deserves credit for is his rebuilding of the relationship between the fans and the club.I think he’s done a remarkably good job with that.There’s been elements, like the seat change, that have been inovative and creative and really good and this is another example of that.I know it came from a fan so Stewart Can’t take credit, but for to support it and get behind it is terrific. If you’re a lover of football like i am then it’s refreshing and reminds you of the good things about the game.I know that not only have Stewart and Charlie been supportive of it, the players and staff have been as well. It’s a reflection of how the club feels right now and how much importance they put on those relationships.It’s a genuinely brilliant idea that I fully support. People who wouldn’t ordinarily get to come see us will and that’s great.

Any update on Maja's contract?

No, nothing I can tell you there I’m afraid.

Injury update

Chris maguire should be ok after training today.Lee Cattermole has trained a couple of days and should be back for Walsall because obviously he’s been out for a month now. But I’m really happy with what I’ve seen and he feels good as well.Duncan it was his first game back but it’s great having him back in the squad.Charlie Wyke is back in full training now as well, so we’re getting there.We still have Denver Hume, Ethan Robson and Donald Love out, but we’re as healthy as we have been all season.Charlie is still a couple of weeks from games. I take responsibility that previously we rushed him back too quickly. It did’t impact on him being re-injured, but it impacted his general fitness and sharpness and that was my fault. This time we have to be more measured, but it means in a couple of weeks you will see a different player when he does return.

Looking at the table?

I do look, but I don’t get worried about it.The only thing we can affect is our own results. And if we continue to get them in the manner we have a really good chance of promotion regardless of what other teams do.At the moment we know if we keep doing what we are doing, there’s more than enough time to achieve our goals.

Planning ahead with games for fitness?

There is an element of that. I think we’d do it anyway even if we weren’t congested because you always have to wary of what lies ahead and the challenges they’ll face.Each and every time you pick a team you think will be best for that game but also balancing it with the demands of each of the players.This schedule, with the cup games in between, changes things slightly so we will look to use the squad without being a detriment to the team we hope.

Big fish little pond scenario

We’ve faced it a lot this season and I hope I’ve been consistent in never complaining about it.We recognise it at first and then embrace it and the players have done that.I think you only have to look at the two Walsall games. In the league one the intensity was higher and the atmosphere too and I think we’ve enjoyed that.Saturday I think will be very similar and I’m sure they’ll thrive.

On the Netflix documentary

It sounds nice in theory and if only it was like a movie where I could sit back and know the ending it would be nice.But obviously we know there’s still a lot of hard work ahead of us to make the ending the right one. I’ve never shied away from that and it will be great if it gives the production company what they want from it.It’s been an interesting experience as a manager and interesting experience to manage this club with that in the background as well.

On Watmore's performance

First of all I;m just delighted for him after a really tough period with what he’d had to endure as a man. So any satisfaction is for him in the first instance, and also a lot of the staff who served him to this point.And then you start to look at the impact it has on me as a manager to have a player of his calibre back available.To look as good as he did as well. I said post-match, everything seemed natural and there didn’t seem to be any hesitation in any of his decision making. That’s an idea of where he’s at physically and mentally.To have him back is a real boost. If you look at a lot of players and the difference in minutes from this season to last season is remarkable. You mentioned the burden Josh Maja has carried and that’s challenging for him still, but Watmore being back eases that.

On the Checkatrade Trophy strong squad

The competition has worked well for us in terms of timing of fixtures and where we’ve been at as a squad.It’s allowed to field different teams. The one at Morecambe was a very young squad then the game the other night was about players who needed game time - Duncan being the prime example and Glenn Loovens as well.We try to take that approach and treat it seriously but also look at how it maximises our squad.

On John Coleman

He’s been hugely successful and performed very well as a manager there.His time there is also an example of how they’re run as a club by the chairman as well as and having that continuity because undoubtedly there will have been defeats in that period as there always are in football. But they had faith in him, that certainly seems the case from the outside.

More on Accrington Stanley

When you speak and are complimentary of Accrington I would be conscious o f not wanting to sound patronising in any manner because what they’ve achieved to date has been deserved and down to their own hard work.And how they’ve performed so far this season as well, they deserve huge credit.It’s certainly refreshing as well when you hear some of the comments and opinion from the chairman as well - how they progressed and grown as a club is fantastic.Saturday is a big occasion for them, so it’s one for many different reasons we’re all looking forward to.

On the trip to Accrington

We’re looking forward to it like we have done for all our league games this season.For a lot of people associated with the club there’s been new venues and new challenges.Where we have come from in the last couple of years and where Accrington have come from means we’re kind of meeting in the middle. So It’s a new environment for us against a team that has performed well in League One.But we’re excited about it more than anything else.

cyprussyd wrote:If you wanted to show a blue print on how a manager should deal with the press and fans you this is it.

I still cant believe our luck, or Donald's judgement in finding and appointing Ross.

He's spot on isn't he. Always says the right thing for me. His post match comments are always measured as well - apart from maybe the last Power sending off - but he was right and chose the right time to express injustice. Some managers do it all the time - pointless.